College Council

Charge/Mission

The College Council is a college-wide decision-making group with responsibility for college operations and policy.

The College Council makes decisions on issues of college-wide operations. As a general rule, those matters that would impact more than one department or division of the College are reviewed by the College Council. The College Council is an important vehicle for college-wide communication and information dissemination. All Deans and two representatives from each division are members of the Council. The College Council maintains close connection with standing committees, internal advisory committees, task forces and department chairs. Each committee chair and department chair has the responsibility for reporting to the College Council on matters that would impact more than one department or division of the College. The College Council has the role of clarifying the role of each committee and asking for periodic reports from committee chairs. This two-way dialogue and communication is intended to clarify the most effective and efficient problem solving.

Recognizing that each issue/problem has its unique context, time constraints, resource requirements, policy implications, decision-making and deliberations of the College Council will normally operate within this framework:

1. Diversity of opinion is welcomed and embraced and active participation of all members is encouraged.
2. Consensus decision-making is the preferred mode. A consensus exists when all members can accept a decision or recommendation. This does not imply uniform acceptance or the same level of agreement among all members.
3. When deliberations reflect a lack of consensus, straw votes will be taken to record alternative points of view and "pro" and "con" arguments. Such votes will serve to clarify opinion or issues as they are referred back to committees or to President's Council.
4. The College Council works on a two-week turnaround between the time a recommendation is made and the time the recommendation is accepted, approved or passed along to the President's Council.